Is it really possible to create a cloud in a box?
How does this magical ‘Cloud Box’ work?
The way this chamber works is very interesting. Its lower part is filled with water which is heated. When heated, water turns into steam and rises up. At the same time, the upper part of the box is kept very cold. When the hot and moist air below meets the cold air above, a condition of ‘supersaturation’ is created. That means the humidity in the air exceeds 100%. At the same time, scientists add aerosol particles like common salt into it. Water vapor starts freezing around these particles and within no time a cloud starts floating inside the lab.
This graphic shows how a cloud forms inside a cloud chamber. (Credit: Joanna Pendzick/Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Why is it important to solve the mystery of clouds?
Clouds play the biggest role in maintaining the energy balance of our earth. They decide how much heat from the sun will reach the earth and how much will go back. But the biggest question is why some clouds produce rain and why some do not? How do droplets grow larger and form rain? To understand this, till now scientists used to take planes and go among the clouds. But it is difficult to take data there because the condition of the clouds changes as the plane passes. In this chamber, scientists will be able to do research on a single cloud for hours.
Will this box change weather predictions?
This ‘Cloud in a Box’ has many such ‘knobs’ or buttons by rotating which scientists can create different weather. They can set the temperature, humidity and air turbulence as per their wish. The special thing is that Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are also being used in it. Scientists will now be able to measure the movement inside the cloud without touching it through laser and radar technology. This will help in creating better weather models to understand and deal with problems like drought and floods in future.
Is this technology limited to clouds only?
This chamber will not be used only for studying clouds. Scientists believe that this will also help in understanding the impact of weather on electricity and information infrastructure in future. Besides, accurate analysis of how pollen particles spread in the air and dangerous bacteria or viruses travel can also be done. This is such a unique lab that can offer solutions to many challenges of the future.